I think most reasonable people would be happy with a short extension if the Prime Minister was closing in on a deal. Johnson sold his leadership bid on a "million to one" chance of no deal so his supporters clearly want a deal.He has much work to do before his deal is acceptable:
1. He needs to sort out the Stormont position to eliminate any DUP veto.
2. He needs to ensure that Northern Ireland (if not the whole of the UK) stays in the Customs Union to protect the GFA and the EU Single Market.
3. He needs to sort out the contradictory waffle emerging from his Government and give clear, precise plans that can be scrutinised.
...and after all that he needs to get the deal approved by the EU Parliament and Westminster.The latter will also need to pass all the necessary legislation.That is a lot to get done in 15 days.With the Tory conference done and dusted, Johnson can now bend and flex as required and, I think, also gives him space for a small extension.
As I have said several times, when there are specifics then I fully agree. But everyone keeps on being vague about which clauses or what points to use a possible extension for. Funnily enough, that is exactly the reason the EU originally wouldn't entertain an extension.
This situation needs to come to a close. You close by being very clear about what is outstanding and where there is disagreement. The time has past for general statement like what ROI is doing, and how Corbyn is reaction to this.
1 Why? Why start interfering in a political system that was chosen locally, and they got into a mess locally. Interfering with the balance of power is not good. Besides, that doesn't sit with the party as we all know.
2 data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7//static.avforums.com/styles/avf/smilies/facepalm.gif That would not be leaving the EU. That is just daft and will drag this on forever.
Do or die we will leave on the 31st October.
If he doesn't take that extension if it gets handed to him by the EU to continue to work through a deal,where does he go then.
He says he wants a deal but what if he then refuses to talk to the EU about a deal?
And insists it's no deal?
He has a deal that can get through Parliament - if he changes it to what you want it wont get through Parliament.
So any extension is pointless - he will be toast.
If he doesn't change it, then it won't pass by the EU which makes the Westminister arithmetic academic.
He won't be 'toast'. I think the vast majority of us realise that Johnson has a record of 'mistruths' so what he says and does don't always match. An extension can be put in that category and I don't think people will mind if he can cite a meaningful purpose, i.e. an extension to get a deal over the line.
so the only option is to leave with no deal
Those against Johnson want him gone now and those supporting him will only continue that support if he does what he says. If he goes back on his word he is toast - and he knows it.
Have you seen the latest Government submission to the ongoing Scottish court case?Johnson will request an extension if no deal has been agreed by 19 October.
Then he will be toast data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Or he can say he has in good conscience done everything he could within the law to leave on the 31st but his hands are now tied by those too cowardly to go to the ballot box.It might even work.